Book Reviews & Thoughts

Game. Set. Match. – Jennifer Iacopelli

Synopsis

Nestled along the North Carolina coast, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the world’s most elite training facility. In this pressure-cooker environment, futures are forged in blood and sweat, and dreams are shattered in an instant.

Penny Harrison, a rising female star, is determined to win the French Open and beat her archrival, Zina Lutrova. But when her coach imports British bad boy Alex Russell as her new training partner, will Penny be able to keep her laser-like focus?

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. The daughter of two Grand Slam champions, she’s hell-bent on extending her family’s legacy and writing her own happily-ever-after…until her chosen Prince Charming gives her the just-friends speech right before the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

With a powerful serve and killer forehand, newcomer Indiana Gaffney is turning heads. She’s thrilled by all of the attention, especially from Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and hot older brother, except he keeps backing off every time things start heating up.

With so much at stake, dreams—and hearts—are bound to break. Welcome to OBX: Where LOVE is a four-letter word, on and off the court.

Review

I don’t know much about tennis. Still, this book was cute, easy to follow, and fresh. It was an easy read.

I liked Indy’s storyline best. She was the new girl, just trying to learn the ropes, while also experiencing the thrill of competition (and perhaps, the unrealized potential of her natural talent). It all seemed to come a little too easily for her, so I’m glad we got to see her training and putting in extra time. She got pretty emotional at times, but at least someone was there for her. Thank you, Jack!

Penny’s storyline was also fun, but the whole give-and-take with Alex got annoying. Just stay together! I really wonder what’s going to happen to her moving forward.

I didn’t like Jasmine’s storyline much — jealousy was not something she wore well. I felt bad for her, sure, but some of her actions were a bit much. If only she weren’t an only child, then she wouldn’t have to deal with the pressures of living up to her parents alone! As badly as she wants it, tennis may not be the right thing for her… and I hope she learns to find enjoyment in something else.

Other notes: do they ever study school subjects? I hear them mention homework a lot, but no classes. Also, I wish there was more tennis — some matches were cut out altogether, just leaving a result. The tennis was the best part! I loved reading about training and the payoff during games.